Global Patent Index - EP 1208984 A1

EP 1208984 A1 20020529 - Fluid ejector

Title (en)

Fluid ejector

Title (de)

Flüssigkeitsausstossgerät

Title (fr)

Ejecteur de fluide

Publication

EP 1208984 A1 20020529 (EN)

Application

EP 01309516 A 20011112

Priority

US 71849500 A 20001124

Abstract (en)

A primary coil (130) and a secondary coil (140) are situated in the ejector, which has a resiliently mounted movable piston (110) to eject fluid through a nozzle (122). A drive signal is applied to cause current to flow in the primary coil (130). The current flow generates a magnetic field that induces a current in the secondary coil (140). Either the primary coil (130) or the secondary coil (140) is associated with the piston (110) and the other is associated with a fixed structure (120) of the ejector. As a result, a magnetic force is generated that pushes the piston (110) either toward a nozzle plate (120) so that a drop is ejected through the nozzle (122) or away from the nozzle plate so that fluid fills the chamber. When the drive signal is turned off, the piston resiliently returns to its at-rest position, thereby either refilling the ejected fluid or ejecting a drop of fluid through the nozzle (122). In other embodiments, the nozzle plate is made of a magnetic material, or is coated with or connected to a magnetic material. Switching the direction of the current changes the magnetic force between attraction and repulsion and may be used positively to move the piston in both directions.

IPC 1-7

B41J 2/14

IPC 8 full level

B41J 2/045 (2006.01); B41J 2/015 (2006.01); B41J 2/055 (2006.01); B41J 2/14 (2006.01); F04B 9/00 (2006.01)

CPC (source: EP US)

B41J 2/14 (2013.01 - EP US); B41J 2002/041 (2013.01 - EP US)

Citation (applicant)

Citation (search report)

  • [X] WO 9903680 A1 19990128 - SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY LIMIT [AU], et al
  • [X] EP 0887185 A2 19981230 - SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD [KR]
  • [X] PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 004, no. 102 (M - 022) 22 July 1980 (1980-07-22)
  • [X] PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 014, no. 266 (M - 0982) 8 June 1990 (1990-06-08)
  • [X] PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 014, no. 395 (M - 1016) 27 August 1990 (1990-08-27)

Designated contracting state (EPC)

DE FR GB

DOCDB simple family (publication)

US 6350015 B1 20020226; DE 60126893 D1 20070412; DE 60126893 T2 20070913; EP 1208984 A1 20020529; EP 1208984 B1 20070228; JP 2002187272 A 20020702

DOCDB simple family (application)

US 71849500 A 20001124; DE 60126893 T 20011112; EP 01309516 A 20011112; JP 2001297071 A 20010927